Ajax 0-2 Manchester United
Goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Manchester United an emotionally charged and vital win in the Europa League Final at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.
Football betting pundits had predicted a tight game with pre-match betting odds of 2.02 for a United win and Ajax at 3.45, but on the night, the big match experience of the Red Devils won through.
This young, and richly talented, Ajax side will have better nights and, at an average age of 22, they have many huge football games to look forward to. But, in such a sad week for the city of Manchester, United gave Mancunians back home something to smile about with a top class display.
They needed a huge slice of luck to go ahead though; Juan Mata latched onto a sloppy Ajax throw on 18 minutes and the ball ended up at the feet at Paul Pogba. The Frenchman’s shot took a wicked deflection to leave Andre Onana stranded in the Dutch goal to send the Red fans wild.
There was more than a nod to total football in Ajax play as the youngsters dominated possession, but the Reds defence kept wonder kid Kasper Dolberg at bay, Bertrand Traore posing the biggest threat. But they lacked the incision they needed whereas United used the height and strength of Marouane Fellaini to get the ball forward quickly.
And the game was over early in the second half when Chris Smalling met a corner, to tee up Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the lethal Armenian hooked the ball high into the net.
Ajax continued to knock the ball around well but never really threatened a fight back as United saw the game out with relative ease. It was a good experience for this promising Ajax side and will stand them in good stead.
But for United it means so much more; Champions League football and with it vindication for boss Jose Mourinho. And for the great City of Manchester, a much needed reason to be cheerful.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
